Fashion vistas

April 21, 2005 — 10.00am

It's not enough that our young folk want to live like soap stars; now they're wearing their clothes too. The Seven Network is moving into the fashion business by launching the Summer Bay line of women's clothing, inspired by the show Home & Away.

Made in China, the range will be featured in the show and worn by three characters: Matilda Hunter (played by Indiana Evans), Martha Mackenzie (Jodi Gordon) and Cassie Turner (Sharni Vinson).

Apparently a heap of research was done into the range, with the geniuses behind the heinous idea nominating words such as "happy", "young", "not too challenging" and "cute" to describe the "vision and focus" of the designs - mostly denim skirts and tank tops.

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But surely there is potential for the range to be broadened. Spike can see a definite market for Alf Stewart-inspired BBQ aprons or an Irene Roberts range of lingerie. And why stop with Home & Away? Blue Heelers or All Saints would provide a smorgasbord of fashion ideas. Who wouldn't want a Terri Sullivan nurse's uniform under their tree this Christmas?

Packing them in

The Packing Room Prize, where the backroom staff at the Art Gallery of NSW pick their favourite entrant in the Archibald Prize, often throws up a more popular artwork than the main award. But that's not because it is more democratic. Head packer Steve Peters jealously controls 51 per cent of the vote, and has done so since the prize was first awarded 14 years ago. The all-powerful Peters has worked on the Archibalds for 21 years, and nothing surprises him anymore. "One year they said, 'Hey, Steve, there's a plane here,' and I said 'Bullshit'. But there it was." The work was an entry in the Wynne Prize. Peters's favourite is announced at noon today, and the winners of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes on April 29.

Star attractions

Russell Crowe almost became a Scientologist when he arrived in Hollywood, reading books about the celebrity religion and watching videos. Rusty tells his Cinderella Man co-star Paul Giamatti in America's Interview magazine he dabbled with Tom Cruise's controversial religion. "I read Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard [Scientology's founder], I got a couple of videos, and I took it all in. It just seems like a religion that is perfect for people who feel like they need a grounding, who feel that the world has run off on them. I've discussed this with Scientologists, and they don't disagree. With any of these religions, as long as the heart and soul is positive, then to me it's all good."

Julia hams it up

Julia Roberts, whose lip-quivering performances have enabled many a mediocre Hollywood offering to brag about its raw emotional impact, has been reduced to tears again, this time by the Australian-shot film Charlotte's Web.

Roberts, who supplies the title-role voice of the spider, was "emotionally moved when she saw a scene involving Wilbur the pig," according to AAP: "She was looking at the footage of it and she just burst into tears. She said, 'He is so cute'." Roberts was perusing early footage shot at a sheep farm next to Victoria's Wombat State Forest. The Babe-like adaption of Elwyn White's novel also features the voices of Robert Redford, Oprah Winfrey and John Cleese.

A fine taste for art

The art world will converge on iconic Paddington restaurant Lucio's today to launch Art Sydney '05, formerly known as the Affordable Art Show, where no works were priced at more than $5000. At this year's August show, a new area known as the collector's room will have works worth much, much more. This makes today's launch venue apt. Restaurateur Lucio Galletto's Italian eatery is notorious for its huge collection of Australian art by some of this country's most successful artists. Hanging on the walls are works by John Olsen, John Coburn, Gary Shead, Michael Johnson, Frank Hodgkinson, Tim Storrier and Colin Lanceley, among others.

Galletto told Spike yesterday the collection began back in 1984 when Sidney Nolan scribbled on a menu book, which Galletto had framed. Nolan was so chuffed with how it had been treated, he presented the restaurant with a painting as thanks. No one is game to put on a value on what the collection is worth, though Galletto says he's been very lucky in that most of the works have been gifts. "Along with food, art is my other passion," he says. "The artists kept on giving me work because they knew I loved it and would respect it."

Palm before the storm

Janet Albrechtsen is not one to shy away from a public fight, however the columnist and ABC board member decided to settle a dispute with her Bronte neighbours out of court yesterday, robbing the rest of us of a good legal stoush.

Kelly and Christine King had sued Albrechtsen and her husband, John O'Sullivan, in the NSW District Court for damage caused by an overgrown palm tree on the common boundary of their properties.

The Kings alleged the columnist and her husband were negligent in letting the tree's destructive roots invade their yard, causing more than $100,000 damage. An indoor spa pool and two-car garage were among the buildings allegedly ravaged by the Canary Island date palm.

The Kings originally sought $750,000 in compensation.

Albrechtsen and O'Sullivan denied they were at fault and filed a cross-claim for costs and "emotional distress" arising from the suit. However, instead of airing the dirty laundry in public via a three-day hearing, all parties chose to settle out of court for an undisclosed sum. Party poopers.